Lupus Awareness Month

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

May is observed as Lupus Awareness Month, a month used to educate, advocate, and support those affected by lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, such as the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Healthcare providers sometimes call lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the most common type of lupus, which means you have lupus throughout your body. Other types of lupus include:

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus- is lupus that only affects your skin

Drug-induced lupus- occurs when some medications trigger lupus symptoms as a side effect. It is usually temporary and might go away after you stop taking the medication that caused it

Neonatal lupus- occurs when babies are sometimes born with lupus. Babies born to biological parents with lupus aren’t certain to have lupus, but they might have an increased risk

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have a mild form of the disease characterized by flare-ups, when signs and symptoms may get worse for a while, and then improve or disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

Fatigue

Fever

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling

A butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body

Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure

Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Dry eyes

Headaches, confusion, and memory loss

Lupus likely results from a combination of genetics and the environment.

People with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with an environmental trigger of the disease. Some potential triggers of lupus include:

Sunlight

Infections

Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time, overlapping with those of many other disorders.

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and results of a physical examination can lead to a diagnosis. Blood and urine tests may include:

A complete blood count

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Kidney and liver assessment

Urinalysis

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test

If your healthcare provider suspects that lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, they may suggest imaging tests that can include:

A chest X-ray

An echocardiogram

Lupus can harm the kidneys in many ways, and treatments can vary depending on the type of damage it causes. Sometimes, a kidney biopsy is needed to determine the best treatment. A skin biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis of lupus affecting the skin.

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments for lupus that manage your symptoms. The goal is to minimize damage to the organs and how much lupus affects your day-to-day life. Most people with lupus need a combination of medications to help them prevent flare-ups and lessen the severity of symptoms during a flare-up. Medications you might need include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Corticosteroids

Antimalarial drugs

Immunosuppressants

Biologics

Simple measures can help prevent lupus flare-ups if they occur, and help you to better cope with the signs and symptoms you experience, including:

Seeing your doctor regularly

Being sun smart

Getting regular exercise

Quitting smoking

Eating a healthy diet

Asking your healthcare provider if you need vitamin D and calcium supplements

If you would like to participate in Lupus Awareness Month, here are some ways you can do so:

Learn about lupus

Support those who are suffering from lupus

Advocate for better research, more care, and more compassion

For more information about the Lupus Center at the campus of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center or to make an appointment with a lupus doctor, call (718) 206-9888.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

May is observed as Arthritis Awareness Month. The month serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the complex family of debilitating diseases.

An estimated 58.5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of arthritis, accounting for about 23.7% of the population. As the number of older Americans continues to grow, and the rate of obesity and overweight increases, the number of people with arthritis-attributable activity limitations will only increase.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially amongst older people. OA mostly affects cartilage by breaking down its surface. As cartilage wears away, bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion. Over time, these changes can affect the bones, tendons, and other joint tissues.

Other types of arthritis include:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Gout

Juvenile arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis

To diagnose arthritis, a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, where they will examine the affected joints and ask about symptoms. During the healthcare provider’s examination of the joints, they will check their range of motion and compare them to other, similar joints.

A healthcare provider may also use imaging tests to take pictures of the joints. Imaging tests include:

X-ray

CT scan

Ultrasound

These tests help the healthcare provider see potential damage inside the joints. These tests also help them rule out any injuries or conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as broken bones.

A healthcare provider may also use blood tests to check uric acid levels if they suspect gout. Blood tests can also show any signs of autoimmune diseases or infections.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. However, joint pain and other OA symptoms can be managed through treatment, lifestyle changes, and education. The most common treatments for arthritis include:

Physical therapy or occupational therapy

Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen

Corticosteroids

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Surgical procedures such as joint fusion or joint replacement

Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to emphasize research, service, and education about arthritis and raise funds to support the cause. The best way to get involved is by helping raise awareness for this public health priority.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to serve the local community, and our patients value our person-centered, compassionate approach. Our friendly staff is standing by to answer any questions you might have. For further information on consultation, diagnosis, and treatments, contact us at 718-206-6742 or 718-206-7001 to make an appointment.

Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Integrative health is a progressive approach to healthcare in which leading treatment services offered by modern medicine are combined with a deep understanding of the nature of illness, healing, and wellness.

This approach combines modern and holistic medicines to help prevent the onset of disease, address existing chronic conditions, and promote healing in patients at the center of a treatment plan that considers their physical, emotional, and social needs.

A treatment plan that accomplishes this is tai chi. Tai chi has been a tenet of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries. Sometimes called meditation in motion, tai chi is a series of exercises that help bring harmony between the body’s energy and mind, by using slow, highly coordinated movements and physical postures with meditation and controlled breathing, aimed to energize and balance the body’s energy, known as qi, pronounced “chi”. According to traditional Chinese principles, when the qi is balanced, the body functions at its best.

Although tai chi is a low-impact exercise with movements that look leisurely, these movements are bodyweight exercises with physical demand.

There are hundreds of studies on tai chi, with researchers finding that tai chi has several benefits that may help with numerous health concerns. Here are some health benefits of tai chi:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of death for older adults, with about one in four adults 65 years and older experiencing a fall every year. A review of ten studies on tai chi and balance found that people who practiced it had up to 50% fewer falls than those who didn’t. Both the CDC and the American Geriatric Society recognize tai chi as an effective way to lower fall risk as it helps build stability and strength, increasing balance, which helps prevent falls.

Research indicates that practicing tai chi can slow the progression of dementia by boosting cognition and brain health, as it can help with learning, memory, and other mental functions. Researchers found that older adults who practiced tai chi daily for 12 weeks had more activity in their prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking skills. A study conducted by tai chi researcher and Chief of Geriatrics in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, Elizabeth Eckstrom, showed that people who practiced a simple form of tai chi called Tai Ji Quan twice a week for six months improved their score on a cognitive test by one and a half points. Additionally, the study showed that if they added a cognitive challenge while practicing tai chi, such as counting backwards from 20 or spelling words backward, their scores jumped by another three points.

Tai chi can bring a sense of calmness and quiet as it focuses on breathing and movement, which takes the mind away from any stressors, helping the stress melt away. One study conducted on participants who are deemed healthy but stressed showed that practicing tai chi for 12 weeks lowered their anxiety levels substantially.

There are studies that have shown that tai chi can reduce blood pressure as well as or better than antihypertensive drugs or other types of exercise. In 2024, one randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Open Network assigned 342 people with prehypertension to two groups: one group performed four sessions of tai chi each week, and the other group performed four sessions of aerobic exercise. After a year, both groups displayed lower systolic blood pressure readings. However, the group that practiced tai chi experienced a larger decline of 7.01 mg Hg on average, compared to the aerobic group, which was 4.61 mm Hg.

According to the CDC, one in five people in the U.S. lives with chronic pain that affects their daily life and activities. One review of people with chronic knee osteoarthritis found that they had significantly less pain and better physical function after practicing tai chi. The American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend practicing tai chi to manage both chronic knee and hip osteoarthritis, as it helps improve muscle and core strength and coordination, leading to better joint stability. Studies have also indicated that tai chi can help people with fibromyalgia, with research showing it may relieve symptoms even better than aerobic exercise.

In 2021, a review of 23 studies by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that tai chi improved the exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to tai chi’s focus on deep abdominal breathing and movement, which can help increase breathing efficiency and oxygen intake.

Practicing tai chi can help the 10%-30% of older adults who suffer from insomnia. One systematic review of nine randomized trials published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders and Therapy reported that older adults who practiced tai chi one and a half to three hours a week significantly improved their sleep quality and had an enhanced functional ability. What’s more, Elizabeth Eckstrom’s research showed that people fell asleep 17 minutes sooner and slept 42 minutes longer after doing tai chi.

There is also other research that has linked tai chi to lower cholesterol and inflammation levels, and evidence that it may help reduce complications of Parkinson’s disease as well.

If you are interested in learning more about any of our integrative health services, events, or classes, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

Kidney Stones

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Kidney stones are solid masses or clusters of crystals that form from substances such as minerals, acids, and salts in the kidneys. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand, or in rare cases, larger than a golf ball.

Kidney stones occur when there is little liquid and too many of the minerals, acids, and other substances, such as calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid, in the urine, causing them to stick together and form crystals or stones. Kidney stones can form over months or years.

There are four types of kidney stones, and they are named after the kind of crystal that they are made from. They include:

Calcium-oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are the most common types of kidney stones

Uric acid stones

Struvite stones

Cystine stones

Depending on the size of kidney stones, a person may not even realize that they have them. Smaller-sized stones can pass through the urinary tract in the urine without symptoms. However, larger-sized kidney stones can get trapped in the ureter, the tube that drains urine from the kidney down to the bladder, causing pee to back up and limit the kidney’s ability to filter waste from the body, which can also cause bleeding.

Kidney stones can take as long as three weeks to pass on their own. Sometimes, small stones can cause extreme pain as they go through the urinary tract and out of the body. If a kidney stone can’t pass on its own, a healthcare provider will need to break it up and remove it.

Kidney stones are common. About one in 10 people will get a kidney stone during their lifetime. They are most common in men who are in their 30s and 40s and among non-Hispanic white people.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain in the lower back, belly, or side, which might feel like it extends from the groin to the side. This pain can be dull, or it can be sharp and severe, and comes in waves. Other symptoms of kidney stones include:

Bloody urine

Pain when urinating

The inability to urinate

Feeling the urge to urinate a lot

Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Nausea and vomiting

Fever or chills

Several risk factors can cause someone to develop kidney stones, including:

Not drinking enough fluids

Eating foods high in sodium or sugars

Eating meat and other protein-rich foods

Having a family history of kidney stones

Having a blockage in the urinary tract

Taking vitamin C supplements

Having had stomach or intestine surgery, including gastric bypass surgery

Taking certain medications, such as diuretics, calcium-based antacids, and some antiseizure medications

Having certain medical conditions, such as:

Cystic fibrosis

Diabetes

Gout

High blood pressure

High levels of calcium in the urine

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Kidney cysts

Obesity

Osteoporosis

Parathyroid disease

Primary hyperoxaluria

Hemiplegia or paraplegia, which are types of paralysis

Kidney stones can cause many complications, including:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A blockage that backs up urine into the kidney, causing it to swell

Acute kidney injury

Kidney infection

Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A healthcare provider can diagnose kidney stones by performing urine, imaging, and blood tests.

To treat a small kidney stone, a healthcare provider will have the person monitor their symptoms until the stone passes in their urine. They may also prescribe medications to keep them comfortable and help the stone pass on its own. Larger kidney stones need treatment depending on their size, location, whether they are causing infections or symptoms, and other factors.

Medications to treat kidney stones help relax the ureter to help pass the stone more easily, help manage any nausea and vomiting, and help manage pain.

Procedures to remove large kidney stones include:

Shockwave lithotripsy

Ureteroscopy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Laparoscopic surgery

It is important to note that the things we eat and drink impact our risk for kidney stones. Talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian about ways to reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. They may recommend:

Drinking plenty of water

Limiting consumption of foods high in sugar and sodium

Limiting consumption of animal proteins

Maintaining a weight that is healthy for you

Eating foods that are good sources of calcium

Limiting consumption of foods high in oxalates

Prescription medications

If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, and would like more information about receiving treatment from a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

Reactive Arthritis

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Reactive arthritis is a condition that occurs when the immune system reacts to an infection somewhere in the body and causes joint pain and inflammation. This infection usually starts in the digestive system, genitals, or urinary tract. Reactive arthritis usually affects the knees, ankles, and feet, but it can also cause inflammation in the eyes, skin, and urethra. Reactive arthritis is considered a form of a group of inflammatory diseases that mainly affect the spine, joints, and places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones called spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Although reactive arthritis isn’t contagious, the bacteria that cause it can spread through sex or food. Several types of bacteria can trigger reactive arthritis, including:

Chlamydia trachomatis

Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile)

Escherichia coli (E. Coli)

Campylobacter

Salmonella

Shigella

Yersinia

While only a small number of people who are exposed to these bacteria develop reactive arthritis, certain factors increase the risk of developing the condition, including:

Infection

Sex assigned at birth

Genetics

The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually start one to four weeks after a triggering infection. Common symptoms include:

Pain and stiffness

Urinary issues

Swollen toes or fingers

Eye inflammation

Inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they attach to bone

Skin issues

Lower back pain

Reactive arthritis isn’t common and usually happens for a short period of time. For most people who experience this condition, symptoms can come and go, usually disappearing within a year.

A healthcare provider can diagnose reactive arthritis with a physical exam, as they check the eyes and joints for inflammation, warmth, and tenderness, as well as the skin for rashes. They may also order blood tests, joint fluid tests, and imaging tests to help diagnose the condition.

The main goals of treatment for reactive arthritis are to relieve symptoms and treat any infection that may still be present. Since reactive arthritis can affect different parts of the body, there may need to be multiple doctors or healthcare providers involved in treating this condition. Treatments for reactive arthritis can include:

Medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and rheumatoid arthritis medicines

Physical therapy exercises that strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, improve flexibility, and prevent stiffness

Although genetics is a risk factor for developing reactive arthritis, that risk can be lowered by reducing exposure to bacteria that cause infections by:

Practicing food safety

Preventing sexually transmitted infections

If you are experiencing any symptoms of reactive arthritis, you can schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Autoimmune diseases are health conditions that happen when the immune system attacks the body instead of defending it. They are also called autoimmune disorders by healthcare providers.

The immune system is the body’s built-in defense system. It automatically detects substances that shouldn’t be in the body, such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins. It sends out white blood cells to eliminate them before they can damage the body or make a person sick.

If a person has an autoimmune disease, their immune system is overactive. When it doesn’t have anything to attack, the immune system turns on the body and damages healthy tissue.

Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions, which means a person will have to manage them and the symptoms they cause for the rest of their life.

There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases, and they can affect almost any tissue or organ in the body, depending on where the immune system malfunctions. These autoimmune diseases can include:

Joints and muscles

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Lupus

Myositis

Skin and blood vessels

Sjögren’s syndrome

Psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis

Dermatomyositis

Scleroderma

Vasculitis

Rheumatoid vasculitis

Urticarial vasculitis

Vitiligo

Digestive system

Crohn’s disease

Celiac disease

Ulcerative colitis

Autoimmune gastritis

Endocrine system

Type 1 diabetes

Addison’s disease

Hashimoto’s thyroditis

Graves’ disease

Nervous system

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Myasthenia gravis (MG)

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD)

Autoimmune diseases are very common due to there being so many different types, with experts estimating that around 1 in 15 people in the U.S. has an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms that can affect a person’s body from head to toe. Conditions that affect the muscles can cause muscle weakness, joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, indicating a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Type 1 diabetes causes high blood sugar. And some autoimmune diseases can affect a person’s vision.

Many autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation, which causes a feeling of warmth, discoloration or redness of the skin, swelling, and pain.

Additionally, a lot of autoimmune diseases can cause recurring symptoms. These episodes of more noticeable or more severe symptoms are called flares or attacks.

Unfortunately, experts don’t know for certain what causes autoimmune diseases, and researchers are still studying what makes the immune system start attacking the body in the first place.

However, some studies have found certain factors, or triggers, that might increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease. They include:

Viral infections such as COVID-19 and the Epstein-Barr virus

A person’s sex, as women are more likely to have an autoimmune condition

Having biological relatives with autoimmune diseases, as some are genetic and can be passed through generations of a biological family

Having one autoimmune disease can increase a person’s odds of developing another one. This is called multiple autoimmune syndrome

Exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors may trigger autoimmune diseases

Smoking and other types of tobacco use can cause many health issues, including potentially triggering autoimmune diseases

A healthcare provider diagnoses autoimmune diseases when they perform a physical exam and discuss a person’s health history with them. They will examine their body, specifically if they are experiencing symptoms in a specific area. They will ask about the person’s symptoms and when they first noticed them.

A healthcare provider will perform tests for several different conditions that can cause the symptoms until they find a cause. This is called a differential diagnosis. They may order blood tests to look for specific markers, or clues the immune system leaves behind after it damages the body or causes specific issues, of autoimmune diseases.

They may also perform imaging tests to look inside the body, including:

X-rays

CT scan

Ultrasound

Autoimmune diseases may need a variety of treatments, since they cause a variety of symptoms. Which treatment is needed depends on which condition a person has. Everyone’s immune system, genetics, and environment are different, which means the treatments will be unique to each person. Some common treatments to manage autoimmune disease symptoms include:

Pain relievers

Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids

Immunosuppressants

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

IVIG infusions

A person may need specific treatment based on what condition they have. People with Type 1 diabetes will need insulin therapy. People with celiac disease will need to eat a gluten-free diet.

The Division of Rheumatology at Jamaica Hospital provides consultations for patients in Queens, NY, who develop rheumatological disorders. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 718-206-6742.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Jevon Fragoso

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Jevon Fragoso, the newest member of the rheumatology team.

Dr. Jevon Fragoso was born and raised in Queens, New York. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Stony Brook University with a degree in Pharmacology and then received his medical degree at Temple University in Philadelphia. After medical school, Dr. Fragoso completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Rheumatology Fellowship at North Shore University Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center with Northwell Health. Dr. Fragoso has extensive training in managing rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, myositis, and systemic sclerosis. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Fragoso enjoys cooking and martial arts.

We are proud to welcome Dr. Fragoso to our team and look forward to the work he and the rest of the Rheumatology Department will do to provide high-quality care to our community.

Podiatry: What Your Feet Can Tell You about Your Health

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

Wash and examine your feet daily
Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
Treat any callouses and corns
Trim toenails weekly or as needed
Wear protective clothing on your feet
Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack and damage the glands that produce and control moisture in the body.

Sjögren’s is classified into two types: primary and secondary. In primary Sjögren’s, there are no other autoimmune diseases present. Secondary Sjögren’s is diagnosed in someone who also has other rheumatic conditions.

Parts of the body that are most affected by the disease are the eyes and mouth. However, the skin, joints, kidneys, nerves, lungs, and thyroid can also be impacted over time.

Dry eyes and mouth are the most common symptoms of Sjögren’s. But people living with the disease may also experience:

Tooth decay
Vaginal dryness
Dry skin
Skin rashes
Joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Muscle pain
Heartburn
Acid reflux
Shortness of breath
Light sensitivity

Health complications that could potentially develop as a result of Sjögren’s include:

Lymphomas
Damage to the nervous system
Gastroparesis
Eye infections
Abnormal liver function
Irritable bowel
Yeast infections
Recurrent bronchitis

The cause of Sjögren’s syndrome is unknown. Research suggests that a combination of genetics, environment, and hormones may be linked. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. These are:

Age – Sjögren’s is typically diagnosed in people older than 40
Gender- women are more likely than men to develop the disease
Rheumatic disease- having rheumatic conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Genetics- having one or both parents living with Sjögren’s

There is no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome; however, there are several ways to treat and manage the disease. Treatment may include medication, the use of artificial saliva or tears, the use of special moisturizers or lubricants, hormone therapy, or tear duct surgery. Applying lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, increasing fluid intake, wearing protective glasses, increasing the humidity in your home, and reducing stress can help you manage symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with Sjögren’s syndrome, please contact your doctor to schedule an examination. Your doctor may diagnose the disease by conducting blood tests, eye exams, x-rays, or biopsies.

To schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001